Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers said 10 peers and 44 current and former MPs had been identified in material analysed to date by officers from Operation Weeting, Scotland Yard's inquiry into phone hacking.

The number could rise further as the investigation continues, she added. Of the 54 names, a total of 18 - four peers and 14 current and former MPs - had been identified as "likely victims of phone hacking".

All of them have been contacted by Scotland Yard. They will include MPs who have already received damages settlements from News Group Newspapers, the publisher of the News of the World, such as Lord Prescott, Chris Bryant and Simon Hughes.

Ms Akers disclosed the information in response to a request from the parliamentary culture, media and sport committee, which has been conducting its own inquiry into hacking and other illegal practices by the media.

The committee had originally asked for the names of all MPs and peers contained in Mulcaire's notebooks, but Ms Akers said the Metropolitan Police was "unable" to provide that information. ....read more